One of the largest public education developments in New Jersey’s history is now on track to finish work next year, as a former hospital in Newark already welcomed its first students back in September.
The former St. James Hospital at 155 Jefferson Street is now home to the Newark High School of Architecture & Interior Design. Situated in the city’s Ironbound section, the five-story property adaptively reused a former medical facility, transforming it into a 190,000-square-foot school.
The first students began classes at the Newark High School of Architecture & Interior Design on September 2, which offers programs in architecture, engineering, interior design, electronics, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, plumbing, and real estate. Brooklyn’s Pratt Institute helped design the school’s curriculum.
The endeavor was undertaken by Summit Assets, who have a somewhat unique deal with the city. The company has a lease-purchase agreement with the Newark Public Schools, where the district will pay the developer $300 million spread over 30 years before taking over ownership of the building from Summit at the end of the agreement.
The first phase completed the main building and facilities, but the school’s second phase, which includes a new gym and auditorium, is currently a steel skeleton at the site. However, NJBIZ recently reported that Arrow Real Estate Advisors has closed funding totaling $80 million to complete the project.
With the deal in place, the full and complete vision of Newark High School of Architecture & Interior Design is slated to be completed by June of 2026.
